Clifton CC

I hope this doesn't mean that you've all been off the bikes this weekend? In case that's so, here's something to whet your appetite. It was taken a couple of days ago near Zadar, Croatia.



A special prize goes to whoever has the best explanation for why this Croatian chap has mounted half a Mercedes in his first floor bedroom.

Nice pics Greg. Were you there on holiday? The Merc looks like a set from an 80's Bond Film.

Well there were at least 2 groups of MTBers out in Dalby on Saturday enjoyoyng some late summer sun. We did a ride from Hole of Horcum down Crosscliffe bank on to the Moors then headed back up into the forest for a play on some of the back streets, old red and new stuff. Hardly saw another rider all ride but brilliant conditions apart from the Red which is looking very tired and washed out now.

Whilst we were consuming ice creams at Staindale the Tour de Intermediate ride came blasting through. I can report that Tony was leading the breakaway with the main peloton about 20 yds behind obviously determined not to let him open the gap any further and some stragglers waiting for their team cars 1/2 mile further back. Who won in the end?

The first of the post-race-season Kev rides for me on Saturday. A lovely route with a group of about a dozen, which paused for (in my case) cake in Thirsk and then headed back home. I found myself on the front with a clearly well-refreshed Arnie and unwittingly contributed to shelling a few people out the back, for which I apologise. Wonderful sunshine, but by 'eck it was chilly first thing!

Only 4 of us at the square Sunday morning, Tim J, Andy C, Steve (Broomwagon) and I, due to the cancellation of the Arthur Metcalfe ride we decided to head for Sheriff Hutton and pick up the route from there, weather cool but dry at least as we headed up Terrington Bank I was struggling to hold on to the group and we wern't pushing too hard, same again every time the road went upwards.

Had a cafe stop at Hovingham where we saw Paul M ride by, the coffee and scone must have helped as I felt ok for most of the ride after that.

On reaching Easingwold we had to take a detour as the main street was closed by the police for a major incident, passing the Galtrees Centre we saw a few cyclists putting their bikes back into their cars so it looks as though they decided to ride the route after turning up to find it had been cancelled.

I was finding the last few miles to York a bit hard into the headwind and happy to stay behind Steve as he seemed to get stronger as the ride went on.

Thanks guys for the company and waiting for me at times.

Ian H

With no Saturday training ride I took myself off to Dalby for a quick(ish) run round the red route. With some trepidation I left the FS mountain bike in the garage and took the cross bike to see how it would cope.

Loved it! The bike coped fantastically well. Certainly had to take it a little easier on the descents, seek out the smoothest line and generally try and ride lighter. However climbing was certainly more fun and without suspension and disk brakes felt I was getting back to mountain biking roots!

Wouldn't want to ride it every time, but it did make familiar trails different. Also enjoyed the somewhat bemused reactions of other riders on their various full suspension machines. My favourite being the guy who just muttered "Nutter" as I rode past.

2 hours door to door was pretty respectable and the weather was kind.

Might try it again next Saturday if any one fancies joining me.

John

Tullio wrote: Whilst we were consuming ice creams at Staindale the Tour de Intermediate ride came blasting through. I can report that Tony was leading the breakaway with the main peloton about 20 yds behind obviously determined not to let him open the gap any further and some stragglers waiting for their team cars 1/2 mile further back. Who won in the end?

Yes that was us Paul blasting through Dlalby forest. Im sure its not my imagination but these rides are getting faster. It as to be said not the greatest example of group riding though but still a good ride. thanks to Tony and Shaun looking out for everypne.

Jon

Was working in the South of France last week so took my bike and stayed on over the weekend. On Saturday I caught the train from Aix to Cavaillon and then rode the 30 miles to Bedouin and rode up Mont Ventoux! It was without a doubt the hardest thing I've ever ridden up- 22km without any respite. There were literally hundreds of cyclists out - lots of groups riding the Ventoux for charity- truly a shrine for the MAMIL!

Rode back to Aix afterwards, a total of 120 miles in all, a ride Rob would be proud of (almost?).

Sunday with very tired legs rode the 40 mile loop round the Montagne St. Victoire, much easier after the previous day but still felt hard!

Flew back to the torrential rain on Monday and, just to cap it off, at the time of writing I still haven't been joined by my bag, which is in transit somewhere between Amsterdam and York!

A fantastic ride- if anyone is fancying riding Ventoux go for it, it's 22km you won't forget!

Sunday I did a circumnavigation of the North York Moors with a friend of mine from Stape. We started in the frost and fog and finished in the dark. It ended up being 160 miles. Taking in Northallerton Stokesley Castleton Whitby Scalby
Shurburn West Luton Malton Easingwold (one murder) Helperby and some how back to Stape. The idear was to get one more big ride in before we lose the light and the heat. I can tell you we have have lost the light and the heat.

A few months ago this would not have been possible for me so many thanks to Rob Shaun Andy Ian H and the other Sunday irregulars for if not getting me up to speed, getting me up to distance.

Steen

JohnS wrote:With no Saturday training ride I took myself off to Dalby for a quick(ish) run round the red route. With some trepidation I left the FS mountain bike in the garage and took the cross bike to see how it would cope.

'scuse my ignorance - what do you do with steps and drops on a crossbike (especially that biggish one about half way round on that descent after the sharp corner - don't know what it's called) - do you ride them or get off and run?

An interesting mixed bag on the Weekend Roundup. Well done everyone. Just need the racers to post on here aswell - I dont know why we have separate sections as it looks like we are all drifting away in different directions - its always bugged me?

Talking of drifting away anyone been out today?

Back to the weekend - I had tentatively considered the Arthur Metcalfe but wasnt so keen on setting off in small groups but it was cancelled anyway. So another top event is possibly now no more because of the hassle and red tape of organising! Had considered also riding the route but wanted a non stopper so settled on our Reliability route instead for the first time this year. It was like the first day of winter but at least it was dry! Went well dressed and never felt overdressed. Through the lanes rather than up the B road - Strensall / Sutton /Huby. Going ok on the climbs but all the long flat bits were into a stiff east wind. But this eventually came to my rescue as I had it behind me from the top of Birdsall and really flew back. 71 miles door to door with the average well over 18mph which I was happy with.

nigelt wrote:Was working in the South of France last week so took my bike and stayed on over the weekend. On Saturday I caught the train from Aix to Cavaillon and then rode the 30 miles to Bedouin and rode up Mont Ventoux! It was without a doubt the hardest thing I've ever ridden up- 22km without any respite. There were literally hundreds of cyclists out - lots of groups riding the Ventoux for charity- truly a shrine for the MAMIL!

Rode back to Aix afterwards, a total of 120 miles in all, a ride Rob would be proud of (almost?).

Sunday with very tired legs rode the 40 mile loop round the Montagne St. Victoire, much easier after the previous day but still felt hard!

Flew back to the torrential rain on Monday and, just to cap it off, at the time of writing I still haven't been joined by my bag, which is in transit somewhere between Amsterdam and York!

A fantastic ride- if anyone is fancying riding Ventoux go for it, it's 22km you won't forget!

Did Ventoux in July and agree - it's a beast of a climb.

Steve,

That's the million dollar question! Simply depends on how brave (or foolish you are). I managed to ride some of the smaller steps but ran the big drop off on the descent and the remounted straight after and rode the rest.

Does make it interesting

Planning to do it again on Saturday if you fancy coming along

Best regards

John

Speaking of running and remounting, John, watch this... blink and you'll miss it!

http://inrng.tumblr.com/post/32112414638/bikechange

Nicely done. As a fat middle aged man my dismounts were somewhat more pedestrian.

Well done last Sunday by the way Andy!

Tullio wrote:Nice pics Greg. Were you there on holiday? The Merc looks like a set from an 80's Bond Film.

Yes, I was there on holiday. I'm still on holiday, now on a rest day in Munich having crossed the Alps via Slovenia and Austria. This little fellow greeted me just after breakfast the day before yesterday:



It didn't even let me get the 23% section over with early, but softened me up with a climb to 4500' before ramping up to full gradient just as I thought the sign must have been lying. I had to walk the final corner of that section `The climb then continued to 5900' which is the highest I've been since Ventoux (well done Nigel) but with a touring load this time. I'm glad I only brought that Carradice in the first photo!

Anyway, the big hills are done now and oh boy don't my thighs know it.